UNH realizes what’s at stake versus Towson

Last season at this time the junior defensive end was just returning to the lineup after recovering from a major injury.

Now he’s starting for a University of New Hampshire football team that’s one win away from a CAA title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

“We’ve put ourselves in an unbelievable position so far,” said Colbert, who missed virtually the entire 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle that had to be surgically repaired. “It’s a very important game for us.”

To take advantage of the situation the Wildcats must beat a tough Towson team next Saturday in their final regular-season game.

“The kids know that,” said coach Sean McDonnell. “The biggest thing they have to understand is it’s the next (game) in the process. I think we’ve done a good job all year preparing for the next one. The difference is the next one is a pretty good opportunity for the University of New Hampshire.”

No. 7 UNH (8-2, 6-1 CAA), which has won six straight, is coming off a bye week and a win Saturday could open up several possibilities for the postseason.

The Wildcats rose three spots in one national poll despite not playing.

“If we could get a home game at the Dungeon in the playoffs, that’s an opportunity we’ve got to jump on,” said running back Chris Setian. “It’s hard to look past the next game, but it’s in the back of your mind. A lot can happen with that one victory. There’s a lot riding on this game, and we understand that.”

James Madison lost to Villanova on Saturday leaving UNH and Old Dominion tied atop the CAA standings with one game left.

The Monarchs, however, are not eligible for the league title because they are moving up to the bowl subdivision next season.

Should UNH and ODU remain tied at the end of the regular season, the Wildcats would get the automatic bid to the NCAAs.

“We’re on a high right now,” Setian said. “We don’t want to get too high or let our heads get too big. A lot can still happen. We’ve put ourselves in a position where we control our own destiny. We’ve got to take care of business against Towson.”

The Wildcats were in a similar position last year when they played the Tigers in Baltimore.

UNH lost that game, 56-42, despite 35 first downs and 611 total yards.

“There’s a bad taste in our mouth from last year,” Setian said. “We had an opportunity last year and all the guys that were there remember it. We don’t want that to happen again.”

Four turnovers and a big day by freshman running back Terrance West contributed to the Wildcats demise. He ran for 261 yards and four touchdowns.

“It was scary how good he was against us last year,” McDonnell said.

The Tigers’ attack is still potent with quarterback Grant Enders calling the shots, but they’re better defensively than they were a year ago.

No. 19 Towson ranked second in the CAA in total defense going into last Saturday’s game against Rhode Island, which the Tigers won, 41-10, for their third straight victory.

Enders threw four touchdown passes against the Rams. Despite the win, Towson dropped two spots in one national poll.

“Our antennas should be up for a couple reasons,” McDonnell said. “We’re playing a good team that’s peaking at the right time and we’re in a similar situation as last year. Everything was in our laps.”

Towson began the win streak with back-to-back road wins at Villanova and Delaware. Their losses have been to James Madison and Old Dominion, and FBS opponents Kent State and LSU.